Dyson V10 Cordless Vacuum Review

Review overview

Features9.5

Battery Life10

Design & Accessories9.5

Performance10

Value8.5

Summary

9.5Our Score
We are quite delighted with the V10 and think that it lives up to the hype. The 2-in-1 versatility of the machine also means you won’t need to purchase both a handheld and a regular vacuum as this will perform all tasks, and without being tethered to a cord.

What is the Dyson V10?

Dyson has made an incredibly bold statement in that they will no longer produce corded vacuum cleaners and focus solely on developing cordless models. This statement was made with the release of their new Dyson V10 cordless vacuum cleaner which is an upgrade from the formidable V8 series (we’re not sure what happened to the V9, perhaps the V10 sounded better).

The Dyson Cyclone V10 is a lightweight, stick hoover that can be used both as a handheld and an upright for multiple cleaning tasks. As with other Dyson models, it is available in various versions which at of the time of writing this Dyson V10 review, includes the Total Clean, Absolute and Animal. This is a common theme and the only difference between these versions are the included attachments and therefore the pricing. We’ve provided more details about this below.

For the purpose of this review, and because we really wanted one anyway, we went with the V10 Total Clean to see if it is a marked improvement over the V8. Read on to find out what we thought.

Pros

Long Operating Time – Unlike the V8, the V10 Cyclone can run for up to 60 minutes which is significant for any cordless hoover.

Highly Versatile – Designed to be the only hoover you need to use (whether you want to clean cobwebs, pick up fruit loops, or mud).

Bagless – The V10 is bagless and has a dirt capacity of 0.76 litres which is considerably more than the V8’s 0.54 litres.

Three Power Modes – Multiple power modes means you can adjust the suction capabilities according to your needs.

Cons

Expensive – Paying for the top of the line cordless stick hoover comes at a premium, though you might be able to find it on special while it’s still relatively new to the market.

Emptying – Although innovative, simple and hygienic, you now need to remove the attachment (i.e. wand or mini head) before emptying the dirt receptacle.

Battery Usage – This is both a pro and a con as the highest ‘max boost’ mode can still drain the battery in 5 minutes. However, most people will find they rarely need to use this setting for most applications.

Dyson V10 Total Clean Key Features

Whole Machine Filtration – The V10 not only features hygienic dirt removal but is capable of capturing 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. This is made possible with an airtight gasket around the cyclone assembly, as well as a pressurized rubber seal around the advanced filter. In light of this, the air that is expelled from the V10 as you hoover is cleaner and healthier.

Linear Airflow Path – Just one of the reasons the V10 is so much more efficient is because they were able to rotate the cyclone and dirt receptacle assembly 90 degrees to form a linear profile. This has improved air flow and therefore increased the air watts by 20%. Coupled with their fastest ever V10 digital motor that is capable of spinning up to 125,000rpm, this is one impressive cordless hoover.

14 Cyclones – Although one less than the V8, the V10 uses 14 cyclones which together are capable of producing more than 79,000G’s. The air that is sucked in from the atmosphere accelerates from 45mph to 125mph as the cyclones narrow and create the suction capable of picking up both large and fine particles (including bacteria, allergens and pollen).

Battery Life

(Left: Dyson V10 Right: Dyson V8)

Fortunately, Dyson decided to move the battery port on the Dyson V10 to the front of the grip, this is a huge improvement for those who experienced electric shocks from the battery port on the Dyson V8.

One of the key areas that Dyson are constantly focusing on improving is their battery technology. The V10 uses a seven-cell 525W, a lithium-ion battery with nickel-cobalt-aluminum chemistry which is more powerful, yet the same weight as the battery used in the V8. Dyson uses a clever power management system which constantly optimizes the power to ensure it never fades as the charge drops. The V10 is able to run for up to 60 minutes on the ‘normal’ mode, 30 minutes on the ‘boost’ mode, and 5 minutes on the ‘extra boost’ mode.

Charging takes approximately 3½ hours, and you’ll know it’s charged when the three blue LED indicator lights stop flashing – these also let you know how much juice is remaining as you clean. Upon unboxing it’s recommended to wait for the V10 to fully charge before trying it out, although we know from personal experience how difficult this can be. All versions of the V10 come with a wall dock for easy charging – this is connected to a standard plugin-in charger which you can use without the dock if you prefer.

Design & Accessories

The styling of the Dyson V10 is fitting for the image James Dyson wants to portray for his company. It’s a sleek, futuristic design that aims to be the pioneering standard for all cordless stick hoovers moving forward. The colouring is tasteful though varies depending on the version you choose. The Total Clean we purchased is predominantly red (including the wand), and features grey with purple accents. All look similar, although the Absolute has more grey with a copper coloured wand, and the Animal has more purple which includes the wand.

The V10 handle is similar to the V8 and is still very ergonomic, with a simple power trigger and a three-mode selector switch on top of the unit. The build quality is hard to beat and all of the tools have a firm click when attaching and detaching, without any hint that they’re likely to break anytime soon. Talking of tools, this is where the different versions differ apart from the colouring. The included tools are as follows for each model:

Absolute – Direct drive cleaner head, soft roller cleaner head, mini motorhead tool, combination tool (standard nozzle and dusting), crevice tool, and mini soft dusting brush. This version provides most of the important tools and is usually more than adequate.

Animal – Direct drive cleaner head, mini motorhead tool, combination tool (standard nozzle and dusting), crevice tool, and mini soft dusting brush. This version is geared mostly towards homeowners with carpeted flooring and pets, though you’re better off with the Absolute or Total clean in our opinion (especially if you have hard flooring due to the lack of the soft roller cleaner head).

Note: An odd observation is that the Total Clean doesn’t include the mini soft dusting brush which we found strange.

Further improvements that are worth mentioning are that the direct drive cleaner head has been improved to remove up to 25% more dirt and debris than the similar head on the V8. Both the direct drive and soft dusting brush feature a DC motor to make them more effective.

Dyson has always made it especially easy to empty their bagless vacuum cleaners without getting your hands dirty. However, the V10 now features a ‘point and shoot’ dirt canister which means you point the main unit over a bin and empty it by sliding forward a red tab at the bottom. This opens the lid of the dirt canister while simultaneously pulling it forward to remove grime with a squeegee-like action.

On the unit, aside from the three battery life indicators, there is also a blockage and dirty filter warning light. This way you know when you need to clean it to ensure suction remains optimal. This is quite simple as it’s located on the back of the V10 and can be removed by twisting and pulling it away from the unit. You can then tap the filter on the side of your big to remove excess dirt, before rinsing it under tap water.

Performance

Dyson V10 Hardwood Floors

Dyson V10 Handheld

Dyson V10 Carpet Cleaning

You’ll notice that whether you use the direct drive or soft cleaner head that the V10 is highly flexible to move around the floor thanks to the universal joints. This flexibility is particularly pronounced on the direct drive cleaner head as it will be used on carpeting. The suction is impressive although there are three modes which you can choose – the standard mode which runs for up to 60 minutes, the boost mode which runs for 30 minutes (you’ll use this most often when cleaning the house), and the max boost which runs for 5 minutes and is ideal for quick jobs or for those occasions when you have really stubborn dirt to pick up or a lot of debris in deep carpeting.

The V10 has absolutely no problems picking up both large and fine particles, whether this includes corn flakes or spilt sugar on hard flooring, or the normal dried mud and debris that makes carpeted entrances a particular challenge for most cordless models. Due to the light weight of the machine, it was a breeze to use on stairs, and also had no problems picking up pet hair (another area where cordless models sometimes come up short).

The ability to use the wand with the included attachments provides the option to easily transition from cleaning the floor to sucking up cobwebs and dust that accumulates on the ceiling and skirting boards. It’s also very simple to transition into a handheld for counter tops, cabinets, bedding, furniture, and of course your vehicle. The mini motorhead is particularly good for upholstery, and the up-top adapter which comes with the Total Clean is great for cleaning on top of large dressers. The extension hose also allows for a lot more cleaning applications such as getting under car seats or behind radiators with the crevice tool.

For cleaning keyboards and for general dusting, we feel that the Total Clean should have included the dusting brush, especially when you’re paying for more attachments. However, the combination tool which acts as both a standard nozzle and duster was more than adequate for most tasks. Overall the V10 was easy to use, effective, maintained its charge while cleaning the whole house, and only needed to be emptied twice which wasn’t difficult. Although slightly heavier than the V8, the V10 is well balanced and wasn’t fatiguing to use at all. It’s also notably quieter than the V8.

Value

There is no hiding the fact that the Dyson V10 and the Total Clean version, in particular, is an expensive cordless vacuum cleaner. However, we feel it’s the best cordless vacuum on the market at the moment and worth the price tag. With Dyson’s reputation and the two-year warranty, it’s a smart purchase if you’ve been waiting for the right cordless model to come along before swapping over from your old heavy, corded hoover.

Verdict

We are quite delighted with the V10 and think that it lives up to the hype. Unlike the V8, you’ll find that the middle setting can be used most of the time which shortens the run time to 30 minutes rather than 60, but this is usually more than enough for most homes. The 2-in-1 versatility of the machine also means you won’t need to purchase both a handheld and a regular hoover as this will perform all tasks, and without being tethered to a cord.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the Animal version if I have pets, or will the other versions be adequate?

The Animal is the cheapest version and features the direct drive head which is ideal for carpeting and pet hair. However, the other versions also include this head so you don’t need to choose the Animal if you want the additional attachments of the other models.

Is it possible to clean my whole home on one charge or will I need to clean one room at a time?

The V10 is powerful enough on the standard or middle setting to easily clean the majority of homes on one charge. While the ‘max boost’ setting only runs for around 5 minutes, this is only necessary for particularly dirty areas or occasions when dirt or fur is deeply embedded in carpeting or upholstery.

Does the wall dock come included in the box or do I need to purchase it separately?

The wall dock is included with all versions of the V10.

Can I use V8 attachments with the V10?

Yes, you can, they are the exact same fitting so if you have a Dyson V8 and are simply looking to upgrade then it might be better to opt for the lowest spec model which is the Dyson V10 Animal.

Is this a good vacuum cleaner for people with disabilities or physical limitations?

The V10 is quite lightweight and ergonomic so should be a lot easier to use compared to a normal upright or cylinder vacuum cleaner. The lack of a cord also means it’s more practical with no chance of tripping over or having to change power outlets.

Having gone through the rigmarole of choosing and purchasing a vacuum cleaner, Will knows best the absolutely horrendous journey of a vacuum cleaner consumer. He now focuses his time and attention on helping you find the perfect vacuum cleaner for your needs.

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